My family, trying to eat healthier, has been a on brown rice kick. We obviously can't kick the rice habit, so why not eat something a little healthier!
I, of course, decide to make the healthy brown rice into a not-so-healthy brown rice pilaf with sun-dried tomatoes and proscuitto, hehe....oops?
Recipe follows (courtesy of Whole Foods):
------------------------------------------------------------
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, roughly chopped
1 cup long-grain brown rice
2 cups water or broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 cup basil leaves, torn
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)
In a medium saucepot, sauté garlic and prosciutto in warmed oil over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in rice, water or broth, tomato paste, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid is completely absorbed, about 45 minutes. Remove covered pot from heat and let sit 10 minutes; uncover and fluff with fork. Transfer to a large bowl, add sun-dried tomatoes, basil and pine nuts (optional) and toss to combine.
------------------------------------------------------------
So simple and so delicious. I decided to include the pine nuts as I had some leftover when I was making some homemade pesto and I omitted the basil because my basil plant died and I refuse to buy another one :(
The pine nuts is a must add-in. The crunch of the toasted pine nuts is a great addition and I didn't miss the basil too much.
This recipe is great for a meal (all you need is some refreshing greens to start) or it can act as a side dish! Rich and hearty from the tomato paste, this is an adaptable dish that anyone would love!
Looking to kick up your meal a little and you're sick of plain old rice as a side dish? Try this recipe out! It's from Whole Foods- and you know they wouldn't steer you wrong ;)
Taste: A
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 60 minutes